Virginia Secretary of Education Laura Fornash will join the University as a new executive assistant to the President, the University announced Tuesday. Fornash will lobby on the University’s behalf at the state legislature and will work with the governor’s office to strengthen the University’s access to healthcare resources and research. Rob Lockridge previously filled the position.
Fornash said one of the biggest issues that the University is tackling is affordability.
“I’m really excited about the strategic plan and issues that the University is approaching for the future,” Fornash said. “The University is really embracing the challenges that are facing the nation in relation to higher education.”
Fornash also said she will be responsible for enforcing the University’s commitment to the Top Jobs Act, legislation which aims to raise graduation rates and employment rates upon graduation.
“We believe that Ms. Fornash’s years at the intersection of state government and education at all levels — but particularly higher education — give her valuable experience that will allow her to serve in this new role with great effectiveness,” University spokesperson McGregor McCance said. “Her entire career has been dedicated to public education, and U.Va. is fortunate to have someone with this level of skills and a proven track record on its team.”
Fornash held similar positions at Virginia Tech for 20 years. She will start at the University in November.